Former Hollywood actor jailed for burgling Newcastle home after missing last bus home

A former Hollywood actor has been jailed for burgling a Newcastle city centre home after missing the last bus home while drunk.

Jason Hoganson's life spiralled out of control after playing a significant role in movie Empire State in 1988 as he struggled to deal with the success and a traumatic childhood.

The 51-year-old's drink and drug abuse and offending over the years has now seen him rack up more than 100 convictions, a court heard.

His latest offence was committed on 19 April this year just after midnight when he entered a property on Groat Market, in Newcastle.

A resident became aware of him in his bedroom and he asked for a cigarette before leaving.

Newcastle Crown Court heard a doorman at neighbouring bar, Cosy Joes, approached the victim and said he thought a homeless man had kicked his way in through a communal entrance.

When Hoganson left a few minutes later, one of the residents followed him while giving a description to police on the phone.

Police caught up with him in an alleyway between Cloth Market and High Bridge and he was arrested and found to be in possession of a cap and jacket belonging to another resident.

CCTV showed him entering the residence and leaving 20 minutes later with the clothing.

Hoganson, of Parsons House, Battle Hill, Wallsend, pleaded guilty to burglary and was jailed for eight months by Judge Sarah Mallett.

'His life could have been very different'

Nick Lane, defending, said despite Hoganson's previous record of 103 convictions, he was not a habitual burglar.

He added: "He had consumed alcohol and had missed the last bus home. In his inebriated state he behaved in the way your honour has heard and very much regrets his actions.

"Through me, he would wish to apologise to the occupants in the address because he understands they would have been caused alarm by his actions."Mr Lane said Hoganson's was a "sad case" as he had a traumatic childhood, having been taken into care at 13-years-old and had dealt with his issues by abusing drink and drugs.

He added: "His life could have been very different.

"In 1988, he had a significant role in a Hollywood film, Empire State, but he was unable to deal with his success in the role and (his traumatic childhood).

"In his own words, he talks about tumbling down hills and getting his life stable again then a setback leading him into further use of illicit substances and a spiralling mental health crisis.

"He says he knows he should be dead by now given the abuse he had put his body through.

"He has self-harmed and has significant scarring to his face and other parts of the body.

"He now has a relationship with a lady and he wants to stop taking drugs and focus on her.

"Because of sentences and offending he has seen his mother only two times in the last six years."

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